IndieCade 2011

Oct 11, 2011

Annually, Culver City opens it’s doors to IndieCade, a indie convention or conference about indie gaming, their maker and their wares. Most of the events are free which is miraculous. You can stroll into the fire station and jump right into trying the games of the future. Actually that’s not really true, most of these games will stay indie and won’t be highlighted at Best Buy anytime soon. However, the thought process an execution is something you won’t find at Best Buy, but perhaps in a couple of years when an industry creative sees what some of these “kids” are doing with the technology at hand, they’ll incorporated it into a blockbuster video game.

Pew Pew Pew Pew Pew Pew. That’s the name of the game. Instead of using a button, you can voice your shots. It’s funny because a) you can tap the mic for the missile to fire, or you can b) voice it. Everyone wants to voice it. The sound of a missile is something that you grew up with. Each area or country might have their own, which is akin to the sound of a dog barking. It’s different almost everywhere.

Black Bottom was created by students at Savannah College of Art and Design and it is a cool table projected game. It may take more space, but the spectacle of playing a game on a table that’s lit works well. Of course, you can lay down that soda, and it might fall, but the electronics are far away where all should be safe. You can eat lunch on it too! The sheer size makes this something fun to look at. Not only did they create the game space, they also created the controller as well.

Joust is something special. This game is fun to watch and definitely fun to play. Look at the happiness of those who win or lose! It’s a Kinect controller and the object is you hold it level and don’t shake it. If you do it can turn red and you’re out. You have to push or jiggle or tap the controller of your opponents. When the music speeds up you can move more, when it slows down you have to do the same. When there’s a big group, it gets interesting. Will you team up and rid the “strongest” so you have a chance to win? Or are you going to bully the “weakest” and see if you can win that way. It’s strategy if you want it, or else it’s a fun part game that people will love to play. This was probably the greatest game in the bunch.

The Space Invaders were a landmark. There were three placed over a week ago and yes, it branches IndieCade out even more.

3D was the call. Two games used it and it’s a burgeoning technology that’s actually old school. Especially the red and blue variety. It’s cheap to have the glasses and it’s effective and something different. Check out the handlebars!